Induced anisotropy is a constitutive feature of clays that can be numerically introduced through a proper "Rotational Hardening Rule" allowing the rotation of the yield and the potential plastic surfaces ... [more ▼]

Induced anisotropy is a constitutive feature of clays that can be numerically introduced through a proper "Rotational Hardening Rule" allowing the rotation of the yield and the potential plastic surfaces in the stress space. In this paper, rotational hardening rule of yield surface for clays are first reviewed. Then, five typical rotational hardening rules are selected and compared through simulating drained triaxial tests of two Finnish clays. Furthermore, finite element simulations of a strip rigid footing considering different rotational hardening rules together with the case of isotropic yield surface without rotation are carried out in order to study the consequences of the isotropy assumption and the influence of the rotational hardening rule on the behavior of shallow foundation. [less ▲]

Eleven samples of the traditional date product " Btana" prepared by direct (DBM) and indirect method (UBM) were analysed to characterize their bacterial diversity. A total of 42 representative isolates ... [more ▼]

Eleven samples of the traditional date product " Btana" prepared by direct (DBM) and indirect method (UBM) were analysed to characterize their bacterial diversity. A total of 42 representative isolates have been chosen for molecular identification. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the presence of 20 species within 30.9% belonged to the genus Bacillus, 28.6% of the Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus genus. Within the minority represented species, two isolates were identified as Paenibacillus (isolated from UBM exclusively), Streptococci salivarius, Lactobacillus sakei and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Preliminary results indicate that IBM is more selective for spore former bacilli contrary to DBM that show more diversity in the bacterial flora with a prevalence of Enterococcus. API ZYM test showed that the bacilli species have a weak hydrolase activity. [less ▲]

Resting-state functional connectivity analysis has become a widely used method for the investigation of human brain connectivity and pathology. The measurement of neuronal activity by functional MRI ... [more ▼]

Resting-state functional connectivity analysis has become a widely used method for the investigation of human brain connectivity and pathology. The measurement of neuronal activity by functional MRI, however, is impeded by various nuisance signals that reduce the stability of functional connectivity. Several methods exist to address this predicament, but little consensus has yet been reached on the most appropriate approach. Given the crucial importance of reliability for the development of clinical applications, we here investigated the effect of various confound removal approaches on the test–retest reliability of functional connectivity estimates in two previously defined functional brain networks. Our results showed that gray matter masking improved the reliability of connectivity estimates, whereas denoising based on principal components analysis reduced it. We additionally observed that refraining from using any correction for global signals provided the best test–retest reliability, but failed to reproduce anti-correlations between what have been previously described as antagonistic networks. This suggests that improved reliability can come at the expense of potentially poorer biological validity. Consistent with this, we observed that reliability was proportional to the retained variance, which presumably included structured noise, such as reliable nuisance signals (for instance, noise induced by cardiac processes). We conclude that compromises are necessary between maximizing test–retest reliability and removing variance that may be attributable to non-neuronal sources. [less ▲]

Familial pituitary adenomas accounts for approximately 5-8 % of all pituitary adenomas. Besides the adenomas occurring as part of syndromic entities that bring together several endocrine or other systems ... [more ▼]

Familial pituitary adenomas accounts for approximately 5-8 % of all pituitary adenomas. Besides the adenomas occurring as part of syndromic entities that bring together several endocrine or other systems disorders, 2-3% of the familial pituitary adenomas fit into the familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA) syndrome. 20% of FIPA syndromes have shown mutations in the AIP gene and have distinct clinical characteristics. Recent findings have isolated a new non-AIP FIPA syndrome called X-LAG, resulting from duplication in GPR-101 gene. These new advances in the field of pituitary disease are opening up a new challenging domain to both clinician and researcher. This review will focus on these last findings and their contribution to the diagnosis and the management of familial pituitary adenomas. [less ▲]

Purpose: This paper describes the theoretical background and main hypotheses at the basis of SAFIR®, a nonlinear finite element software for modeling structures in fire. The paper also explains how to use ... [more ▼]

Purpose: This paper describes the theoretical background and main hypotheses at the basis of SAFIR®, a nonlinear finite element software for modeling structures in fire. The paper also explains how to use the software at its full extent. The discussed numerical modeling principles can be applied with other similar software. Approach: Following a general overview of the organization of the software, the thermal analysis part is explained, with the basic equations and the different possibilities to apply thermal boundary conditions (compartment fire, localized fire, etc.). Next, the mechanical analysis part is detailed, including the time integration procedures and the different types of finite elements: beam, truss, shell, spring and solid. Finally, the material laws are described. The software capabilities and limitations are discussed throughout the paper. Findings: By accommodating multiple types of finite elements and materials, by allowing the user to consider virtually any section type and to input the fire attack in multiple forms, the software SAFIR® is a comprehensive tool for investigating the behavior of structures in the fire situation. Meanwhile, being developed exclusively for its well-defined field of application, it remains relatively easy to use. Value: The paper will improve the knowledge of readers (researchers, designers and authorities) about numerical modeling used in structural fire engineering in general and the capabilities of a particular software largely used in the fire engineering community. [less ▲]

in European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology : Official Journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) (in press)

Purpose. To describe the gender, age, occupational status and diagnosis of dysphonic patients. Method. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 1079 patients examined at the Voice clinic of the ... [more ▼]

Purpose. To describe the gender, age, occupational status and diagnosis of dysphonic patients. Method. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 1079 patients examined at the Voice clinic of the University hospital of Liège in French-speaking Belgium. Results. Overall, seven out of 10 patients who attended the voice clinic for dysphonia were females. The patients’ ages ranged from 4 to 93 (mean=43.5). Females predominantly consulted at the age of 54 and males at the age of 9. Regarding the occupational status, workers represented more than half of our patients (53%), while 11.2% were unemployed, 15.4% were students, and 19.9% were retired. Regarding the diagnoses of the 1079 patients, nodules were the most common pathologies (n=182, 16.9% of the patients), prevailing in females (n=142, 18.8% of the females), encountered in 16.8% of the workers and 42.8% of the students consulting the voice clinic. Following nodules, laryngeal mobility disorders were diagnosed in 16.4% of the patients (n=177), mainly females (n=115), and was the most frequent diagnosis in retirees (n=75, 34.9%). Conclusions. The majority of the patients consulting the voice clinic for dysphonia were adult females, in their workforce, diagnosed with vocal nodules. The identification of the patients’ characteristics and diagnoses is important to develop treatments and prevention of dysphonia, estimate their costs, and allow comparisons across referral centers. [less ▲]

in Fleck, Dieter; Black-Branch, Jonathan (Eds.) Nuclear Non-Proliferation in International Law. Vol. III: Legal Aspects of the Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes (in press)

This Chapter aims at delineating a proper ethical and legal response to the ‘dual-use dilemma’ of nuclear science and technologies. After assessing the different models of governance proposed so far for ... [more ▼]

This Chapter aims at delineating a proper ethical and legal response to the ‘dual-use dilemma’ of nuclear science and technologies. After assessing the different models of governance proposed so far for addressing the ‘dual-use’ feature of nuclear technologies, and based on precautionary, proactionary and cost/benefit approaches, it develops a framework based on the notion of ‘responsible stewardship’. This framework is based on a comprehensive analysis – through the involvement and cooperation, as much as possible, of all the stakeholders in the field – of both the advantages and the risks of the nuclear area, considering social, ethical, legal, environmental and political values. The policies then adopted are periodically and constantly revised (according to a ‘step by step’ principle) and based on the proportional balance of interests, values and rights at stake. A multilevel framework of sources and actors is involved in such a responsible process. A specific attention is devoted to the balance between the freedom to research and the security needs at the individual and at the State level, in particular focusing on Article IV of the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Concrete ways for applying such model are explained, in particular with regard to the control of materials, education of people, and control of information. Finally, the historical steps in the governance of nuclear technologies are explored and some examples provided for the suggested approach. [less ▲]